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Archeoastronomy The study of the astronomical practices, celestial lore, mythologies, religions and world-views of all ancient cultures.
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Early Astronomy Why People Began to Watch the Sky 2000B.C. Time
Navigation Religion Entertainment 2000B.C. First constellations recorded by Sumerians is first written astronomy-but astronomy is still older
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Astronomy Timeline 3500B.C.-Construction of Stonehenge I begins.
2500B.C.-Pyramids in Egypt. 2300B.C.-Megaliths appear at Stonehenge 1400B.C.-Chinese record solar eclipse 500B.C.-Babylonian astronomy reaches highest point 300B.C.-Greek astronomy reaches its height Eratosthenes determines size of the earth 135B.C.-Hipparchus develops first star catalog and measures star brightness
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Astronomy Timeline Continued
100B.C.-Chinese astronomers estimate size of the round earth and moon 28B.C.- Chinese record sunspots 200A.D.-Teotihuacan Empire reaches its height 250A.D.-Rise of Mayans, 300A.D.-Nazca Culture in Peru 500A.D.-Rise of Anasazi in American Southwest 820A.D.-Muslim astronomy begins
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Astronomy Timeline Continued
900A.D.-End of Mayan period/Begin Mississippian culture 920A.D.-Building of Uxmal in Yucatan 940A.D.-Oldest Chinese star map 1000A.D.-Caracol at Chichen Itza constructed 1100A.D.-Decline and disappearance of Anasazi 1200A.D.-Rise of Inca 1300A.D.-Aztec Civilization Rises/Height of Cahokia
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Stonehenge It’s the oldest timepiece in existence
Built B.C. It’s the oldest timepiece in existence Designed for astronomical observation It’s a monument in S. England Helps in predicting eclipses & cycles of moon Aligns at the solstices
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Map of Stonehenge
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Stonehenge Astronomy
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Egyptian Pyramidal Astronomy
Astronomy used for positioning of the pyramids Vents & passageways align with specific stars Pyramids are slightly off Divide the sky into constellations These are known as star clocks “Diagonal calendars” Calendars – 3 seasons
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Pyramid of Giza
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The Teotihuacan Population over 200,000 people Around Mexico city
Largest city in ancient world 650 A.D. – great fire swept the city Calendar with moon phases 2 important pyramids – sun & moon Pyramids are flat topped
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Teotihuacan Pyramid
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The Maya Believed that Earth was flat with 4 corners
Portrayed ecliptic in art work Concluded year was slightly more than 365 days (Evidence of a calendar system) Observed Venus & Mercury when visible (observatories) Math – they created the number 0 Also created a writing system (hieroglyphics) Civilization found in Mexico
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Mayan Architecture Caracol
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The Nazca Built lines for aliens 300 A.D. Located in Peru
Nazca lines that they created are known as “geoglyphs” Since these lines are on a flat surface and its climate is extremely dry, nearly all geoglyphs remain completely intact. Appeared 500 B.C.
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Nazca Geoglyphs
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The Anasazi 2,000 years ago Known for their agriculture
Found supernova in 1054 in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Located North Pole using trellis twigs Forecast weather by insect activity & wind direction
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Anasazi Architecture
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The Inca Interest in dark space between stars
Observed sun in small caves – built with windows that centered around winter solstice 1200 A.D. Built their cities high in the moutains (Machu Picchu)
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Incan Architecture
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Incan Architecture
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The Aztecs 1300 A.D. Observes of nature & all its cycles, stars, seasons Counting systems based on #20 Pyramids aligned with solar system 2 calendars – religion & time Created a writing system Created a sun stone calendar Mapped out the sky
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Aztec Architecture
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Archeoastronomy in Illinois
1000 A.D. woodhenge in Illinois – allows us to tell time Used woodhenge for harvest This was an ancient calendar built in the Mississippian landscape
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Map of Cahokia
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Monk’s Mound
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Woodhenge Amesbury, England Many made through out the world
“Wooden Stonehenge” Central sun – watching station Sun aligned with poles at solstices, equinoxes, and other important dates Religious
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Woodhenge
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The End
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